Peter SEIXAS

1947 - 2022

PETER SEIXAS December 17, 1947 - October 09, 2022 Peter Seixas died of complications from medullary thyroid cancer, which was first discovered in 2013. Because of Canada's MAiD program, he planned a peaceful, loving death at home surrounded by close family and friends. He is survived by his loving wife of forty-two years, Susan Cohen Inman; two daughters, Naomi of New York City, and Mikaela of Vancouver; his sister, Abby (Mark Horowitz) of Seattle; and brother, Noah (Dana Standish) of Port Townsend, Washington; and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by both of his parents, Frank A. Seixas and Judith Sartorius Seixas. Peter grew up in the New York suburb of Hastings-on-Hudson, graduated from Swarthmore College and left the U.S. east coast for British Columbia in 1970. After three years in the bush outside of the mill town of Powell River, he started his education career as a social studies teacher in Vancouver. He earned an M.A. from UBC in 1981 and a PhD from UCLA in 1988. In 1990, he became an assistant professor in the UBC's Faculty of Education, with responsibilities for history and social studies education. A decade later, he was awarded with the Faculty's first Canada Research Chair, enabling him to establish the Centre for the Study of Historical Consciousness, and the pan-Canadian Historical Thinking Project. He spearheaded the articulation of six concepts of historical thinking, which became the basis for history and social studies curriculum reform across Canada and internationally. His research was published widely in Canadian, American and international journals. His contributions were recognized with election to fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, and numerous research and teaching awards. From the secondary social studies classroom, through the UBC teacher education program, to his signature graduate course, 'Problems in Historical Understanding,' Peter was an inspiration to the many students he mentored. He lived a life consistent with his strong moral values, touching his many friends and acquaintances with his humanity, intellect, humour, and generosity of spirit. Peter and family are deeply grateful for the years of dedicated help from his oncologist, Dr. Janessa Laskin, and his nurse practitioner, Colleen Riley. A celebration of life event will be announced at a later date. Donations in Peter's honour can be made to the B.C. Schizophrenia Society to support the implementation of cognitive remediation programs.